CAMPAIGNERS against plans to sell off city centre car parks were stepping up their battle today by shutting up shops to stage a protest.

Scores of shopkeepers in Bedford Place in Southampton were planning to close their businesses to demonstrate for 15 minutes in Amoy Street car park.

The city council has launched a consultation process for proposals to sell two sites off Amoy Street and Bedford Place for development.

Traders fear the project, which would lead to a loss of 130 spaces, would hit their businesses hard.

A petition launched about ten days ago has already attracted more than 1,000 signatures from shopkeepers, shoppers and local residents.

Now Susan Penny, owner of the Silver Nutmeg card and gift shop, has planned the demonstration this afternoon to persuade civic leaders to scrap the controversial scheme.

She said: "We hope as many shops as possible will get involved and we've got a lot of support.

"We've also had a lot of backing from residents because when they have visitors they sometimes park there because the on-street parking situation around here is so bad.

"The plans are just ridiculous."

The proposals were drawn up by the then ruling Labour group during February's budget. The sites would be sold for development if city bosses give the final go-ahead to the scheme.

Mrs Penny said they had attracted signatures on the petition from shoppers across Hampshire who used the car parks in Bedford Place.

Council chiefs have insisted that no decision has been taken yet on whether to close either of the car parks but they were keen to know the views of residents and traders.

A new multi-storey car park was opened last month in nearby Salisbury Street.